Author Archives: Dr. Vaidya Karanvir Singh

WHAT IS OBESITY?

Obesity is a disease which is associated with excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Most of the time, being overweight is a cosmetic concern but it has various health hazards also. It is a medical problem which leads to various health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems and various types of cancers. Body mass index is an indicator which tells whether a person is overweight or obese. It is calculated by dividing weight of a person in kilograms by the square of his height. But losing weight is an uphill task. However, with regular physical exercise and healthy diet, a person can lose weight. There are various medications and weight loss procedures for its treatment.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF OBESITY?

There are various reasons for the occurrence of obesity. Following are the causes:

• Having a genetic predisposition to obesity
• Increased intake of food rich in fats and sugars
• Lack of physical activity
• Hormonal imbalance
• Any metabolic disorders
• Obesity can occur at any age but with increasing age the chances increase due to various hormonal and metabolic changes in body
• Not having an adequate sleep
• Getting pregnant
• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol intake
• Stress

COMPLICATIONS OF OBESITY

Following are the complications which are associated with obesity:

• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Heart diseases
• Cancers of various parts such as breast, ovary, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, kidney, prostate, etc
• Intense heartburn
• Osteoarthritis
• Sleep apnea

HERBS WHICH HELP IN REDUCING OBESITY

Some of the herbs which are helpful in reducing obesity are:

1. GINGER

Ginger is an underground stem whose scientific name is Zingiber officinale. It is a spice which has been used in Indian cuisine since times immemorial. It contains an active ingredient called gingerol which increases metabolism of body. It reduces fat absorption and makes the stomach feels fuller. It thus helps in reducing weight.

2. FENUGREEK

Fenugreek is called methi. It is used as a seed or as leaves. It controls appetite and burns excessive fat. When a person eats less food, the accumulated fat starts burning and thus helps in reducing fat.

3. CINNAMON

Cinnamon is a spice which is present in near about every kitchen. This spice increases body metabolism, maintains blood sugar level and lowers bad cholesterol level in blood. It thus reduces weight and fights obesity.

4. GARLIC

The active ingredient present in garlic is allicin. Allicin increases digestive fire and restores sugar level in blood. It also increases immunity of body and has anti-tumor properties. Garlic reduces fat deposition in body and thus good for weight loss. It is having anticancerous properties.

5. GREEN TEA

Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins. Catechins make metabolism faster. Green tea also contains caffeine which stimulates burning of fat. It suppresses appetite or food cravings and increases hormone production which helps in burning of fat.

6. BLACK PEPPER

Black pepper has an active ingredient called piperine. Piperine inhibits creation of fat cells. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It increases digestion power and thus helps in proper digestion of food. It is thus very beneficial in reducing weight.

7. TURMERIC

Turmeric contains curcumin which is the main ingredient. It decreases level of cholesterol in blood and reduces inflammation of the body. It helps in fatty acid oxidation and thus increases calorie expenditure. Therefore, it is very helpful in reducing body fat.

8. CAYENNE PEPPER

Cayenne pepper is rich in capsaicin. Capsaicin increases burning of fat and reduces appetite. It also inhibits the formation of fat cells. Thus it is helpful in burning fat.

What is mental fitness?

A person is mentally fit when he/she is socially, emotionally and psychologically sound. A mentally sound person thinks well, feels good, and acts well. It also determines the ability of the person to handle stress. Mental fitness is equally important at every stage of life whether you are a child or an adult. A mentally fit person:

• Cope up with the daily life stresses
• Work productivity
• Realize their full potential
• Have sense of peacefulness
• Feeling of self confidence and optimism
• Physically more active and sound as mind and body are connected
• Well aware

Ayurveda’s say about mental fitness:

Ayurveda is an ancient science having holistic approach towards health emphasis on body-mind connection. Ayurveda mentions three mind humorsor a human mind has three qualities: satv (pure,clear, happy quality of mind), raja (activity and relentlessness) or tama (heaviness). A person needs a raja gun to act, tama gun to rest peacefully. But when raja and tama gun goes out of proportion psychological issues like inability to focus, depression, anxiety etc occurs. On the other hand, a satva gun endows a person with good mental health, happiness and wisdom. To enhance one’s mental fitness satva a person should practice to improve satva. When body humors such as vata, pitta and kapha are imbalanced the mind is also affected along with the body.

Good immunity also contributes towards boosted mental health which is known as ojas in Ayurveda. Ojas is the essence or extract of nutrition from our food or it comes with genetics. Depleted oja means rise in mental health issues like anxiety, grief etc. one more factor contributing directly towards good health is AGNI (digestive fire). If  a person’s Agni is good then good metabolism provides formation of nourished dhatus inside the body. End product of all the dhatus are ojas or immunity.

Why is mental fitness important?

• Being present in a mindful state away from all distractions gives a productive day
• A person response in more rational way, ability to response is good
• Good cognition, focus over things, good time management
• Relationships gets better with family or friends
• Increased awareness and positive emotions
• Relationship with ownself becomes stronger
• Increase in self confidence, self esteem or self compassion
• Quality of sleep improves

Natural ways to get more mentally fit:

Ayurvedic view:

Thousands years back our Acharyas mentioned “SATVAVAJYA CHITIKTSA”. It means to elevate the satva gun inside the body that aids in having a sense of control over mind. In simple words it means withdrawal of mind from unwholesome objects. It mentions:

• Mano nigraha that means regulating mind from unwholesome distractions
• “ Dhee dhaiya atmadi vigyanam manopaushadham param” that means deeper level of understanding mind

Ayurveda have some medhya rasayana (rejuvenating herbs):

• Brahmi
• Yastimadhu
• Sankhpuspi

• Vacha
• Ashwagandha
• Shatavari

KEYNOTES:

• Stay hydrated and eat nutritious food
• Regular physical exercise relaxes the mind and relieves stress
• Practicing meditation daily to calm your mind
• Implant positive thoughts inside yourself
• Social detox
• Playing mind games
• Drinking chamomile tea

MANAGING MENTAL FITNESS WITH CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE:

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION:

1. Vata Balance Tablet:

Vata balance tablet is a rejuvenating blend of herbs is specially formulated to balance Vata doshas without aggravating Pitta or Kapha doshas. It may be used to support overall health and well-being by Vata constitutions with or without food. For those with a dual constitution that includes Vata or a tridoshic constitution, it is an excellent formula for the Vata season, which in most parts of the world is autumn and early winter.

Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

2. Brodley Syrup:

 This syrup is prepared from the extract of various herbs that deal with the delusion, hallucination, disorganized behavior, lack of emotions, & inappropriate posture, etc. The syrup is prepared from herbs such as Shankhpushpi, Brahmi, Jatamansi, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Saunf. These herbs show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulator, & mind relaxant properties.

Recommended Dosage – Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.

3. Stress care tablet:

It is an amazing combination of natural herbs like Sarpgandha, Brahmi, Tagar, jatamansi. It helps to relieve stress conditions. They help to pacify the nervous system and also help to increase mental and physical performance. In Ayurveda when there is an imbalance of three energies i.e. Vata, pitta, and Kapha, it leads to disease. Vata has a sub dosha named prana doshas which regulates the sensory perception, brain, and mind. Tarpak Kapha subtype of kapha, governs cerebrospinal fluid, sadhak pitta subtype of pitta doshas governs emotions and their impact on the heart. So any vitiation of these doshas leads to stress. It act as Anti-depressant, relieves Insomnia, Anxiety.

Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

4. Brain Relaxant Churna:

 This churna is pure Ayurvedic which helps to rejuvenate the brain cells, improves memory, give strength to the body, & increases the concentration by calming down the brain. It is prepared from herbs that show calming effect on brain and gives you relaxation. Brain relaxant churna shows antioxidant, Neuroprotective, carminative and anti-inflammatory properties. Ingredients present in this churna are Amla (Emblica officinalis), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Marich (Piper nigrum), Haldi (Curcuma longa), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Suddha Gandhak, Lauha Bhasma. It helps to Maintain blood sugar level, Anti-depressant, Insomnia, Increase Haemoglobin levels, Cures indigestion, Helpful in Ulcerative colitis, and Nerve tonic. It helps in dealing with health conditions such as feeling delusion, hallucinations, disordered thinking, disabling, & impair daily functioning related to schizophrenia patients.

Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablespoon of this churna twice daily.

5. Mann Mitra tablet:

Mann Mitra tablet is herbal and purely ayurvedic medicine. It is used in Ayurvedic treatment for psychiatric conditions and help to balance all the three doshas of body i.e vata, pitta, kapha. CAC Mann Mitra tablet improves intelligence and speech problems. It is helpful for making the nervous system strong and nerves as well. It contains various herbs like Bala, Vacha, Shankhpushpi, Nagkeshar etc that help you fight insomnia, anxiety, and stress. It works as a antioxidant, anti depressant, immuno booster, anti epileptic and as neuro protective drug.

Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.otishmati